Sunday, December 31, 2006

Just finished watching the movie Superman Returns. There's a lot of "messiah" imagery in this movie, which is interesting when you realize that Superman was created by two jewish men, and Jesus of course is also jewish.

Superman gets a lot of flack in the "superhero-world" because he's never been as cool as Batman or Spiderman, not as violent as X-Men, and just all around seen as too nice of a guy.

But would you really want him any other way. I mean, here's a guy with all these powers. Powers that could easily make him the ruler of the world, but instead, he opts to help mankind, with no thought of his own personal safety or compensation.

But the movie really is a "feel good" movie. It inspires hope. It makes you root for justice.

I was thinking about Lex Luthor in the movie (which was Kevin Spacey doing a great job). For some reason he really has it in for Superman. He seems to despise and hate him. Why? What has Superman ever done, except try and help people.

And that is the kicker. Lex looks out for himself. Superman looks out for others.

The very presence of Superman reminds Lex of everything that he(Lex) isn't.

Then I couldn't help but realize it is the same way with Jesus.

Why is it that you can mention God, and most people are cool with that, but bring up Jesus, and whoa...people freak out.

Why? What has Jesus ever done but die and suffer and pay for our sins, and offer us the free gift of eternal life.

I think it's the same reason that Lex Luthor hates Superman.

Jesus reminds people of everything they are not.

Lex doesn't want a Superman.

People don't want a savior.

We like to think we can do it on our own.

We like to think we are pretty good people.

We like to think we are self sufficent.

But the truth is, we are fallen human beings, which left to our own devices, will make the wrong choice more often than not.

As this year draws to a close, let's remember all that Jesus has done for us.Let's rejoice in our relationship with Him.Let's live a life worthy of our calling.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Well, here I go, thanks to the push by my friend Pastor Steve, I am taking the plunge into the world of internet blogs.

I have titled my blog site as "Pastor Dave Lets His Hair Down" for a couple of reasons. One is that as Pastor of Loma Rica Baptist Church I wear my long hair in a ponytail, and very few have seen me with my hair "down". So the picture shows me "un-pony-tailed". The second reason is that we use the expression "let your hair down" as a way of telling people to relax, have a good time, etc. And that is what I want this blog to be. A place for people to come to, read my thoughts, my concerns, my musings on scripture and the world around us, to post their responses, to be themeselves, and have a good time doing it.

One of the things I plan on doing is using this blog to document my journey throught the scriptures in the year 2007. The goal is to read a portion of scripture daily, starting 01/01/07 and document my thoughts, opinions, questions, and amazement at what I find in the Word of God. I am encouring my church, my brothes and sisters in Christ, and anyone else who wants to join me in this journey to read along and to post their opinions as to what I say on the blog and to what the Lord says to them through His Word.

My church will be receiving the Bible reading schedule in their bullitens this week, but if you are reading this and are not a member of my church, just email me a pastor_dave2004@yahoo.com and I will send you a copy of it.

I will also be using the blog to post my thoughts, feelings, emotions, and whatever else is going on in my life. So that is another reason for calling this blog "Pastor Dave Lets His Hair Down".........and lastly, don't let the picture scare you.....I'm pretty much a conservative when it comes to theology, but I do have my radical tendencies.

Oh, and one last thing (seems like us preachers are always saying that), please ignore the grammatical mistakes that are bound to be in this blog. My wife is the english major, not me.